The "forests" of BC have changed immensely due to logging. Most of the old growth cedar is gone, simply because it is difficult to replant. After clearcutting, or even any aggressive selective logging, a cedar forest struggles to regrow.
Have a walk through an old growth cedar forest. The ground layer is often made up of thick mosses and lichens that act as a giant sponge holding in the moisture. This layer is a very fragile and necessary part of the forest. Once torn up by logging an exposed to the sun, it is gone. Cedars will struggle to grow even if they are replanted. The forest loses its wet sponge base and any wildfires will burn much hotter. Heavy rains after logging now causes severe erosion and mudslides. The rich soil ends up in the once clear rivers.
Replanting pines and firs does not fix anything. Each process of logging and replanting results in a less healthy crop of trees. The soil left in some areas barely supports tree suitable for fenceposts. Its a sad situation.
